EGU Handicapping Register Back on Track

The English Golf Union has announced a deal with the AA and AdvanceWave Limited to set up a company, Golf England Limited, to manage the commercial business of amateur golf. The object is to provide Golf Clubs, EGU members and associates, and ultimately the game of golf with a range of benefits and services.

The new company proposes to set up a multi-application smart card network, that will be available by April 2002 to England's, 1,900 Golf Clubs to provide:

• a central computerised register to manage handicaps for Golf Club members and casual golfers;
• an on-line tee-time booking system to enable golfers to book ahead and source last-minute availability;
• a bulk-buying service to provide Clubs with discounts on a range of goods and services; and
• the option of a credit card and reward programme for individual golfers.

The EGU state that Golf England has been set up to generate financial and administrative benefits to Golf Clubs and members and at the same time provide funds to develop and promote the game. Further details will be discussed at a series of roadshows in October and November. It is proposed that the 16 roadshows will be held at selected Golf Clubs throughout England with the further opportunity of attending the presentations to the Golf Club Secretaries Regional meetings.

The share-holding of the new company is 50.1% Centrica (the parent company of The AA), 30% EGU and 19.9% AdvanceWave. It is proposed that the new company will offers its Clubs and members a range of relevant products and services from a variety of suppliers, which will generate income for GEL. It is also considered that these services will benefit Clubs and members by offering special deals and creating economies of scale.

The actual mechanics of the schemes operations, ie. the supply of members names and addresses, will be discussed at the roadshows and the policy will be determined subsequent to the members responses to their presentation.